Just like humans, dogs can carry excess weight due to a number of reasons. And when you do not do anything to bring your pet back to his recommended weight, the consequences can be dire.

But how, exactly, do pooches end up becoming obese?

Top causes of obesity in dogs

Dogs can become obese due to a number of reasons. Here’s a brief look at the leading causes.

Environmental factors

Environmental factors encompass a few causes of obesity in dogs.

For starters, you might be simply overfeeding your dogs. Like humans, your dog’s food consumption should be about equal or less than his caloric expenditure.

Some pet owners get into the habit of feeding their furry pals with table scraps and plenty of treats, unable to resist their pets’ begging.

In other instances, pet owners feed their dogs with high-fat meals or feed their pets more often than is necessary.

Another environmental factor that leads to obesity is lack of exercise. Dogs need regular exercise to stimulate their brains and burn off excess calories. Over time, the lack of exercise can lead to serious weight gain.

Finally, some owners simply do not recognize weight gain and obesity in their pets, thinking that their canines are at a healthy weight.

Physiological factors

Some breeds of dogs, notably beagles, labradors, and dachshunds, are predisposed to obesity, especially if their owners do not monitor their weight.

Dogs older than five years also have a tendency to become obese. As dogs grow older, their activity levels drop while their metabolism slows down.

Medications and surgery

After your dog has been neutered or spayed, there is a likelihood that he or she will gain weight. These procedures alter the production of hormones in dogs, making them hungrier than usual.

Medications like phenobarbital and glucocorticoids also cause weight gain and overeating.

Diseases

Insulinoma, hypothyroidism, and hyperadrenocorticism are diseases that have been known to cause weight gain in canines.

Adverse effects of obesity

Your dog may seem cute and chunky, but obesity can lead to serious adverse consequences that can shorten his lifespan and negatively affect his quality of life.

Here are some of the side effects of obesity that your beloved pet can fall prey to if you do not help him get back to a healthy weight.

Arthritis

The excess weight your pet carries can take a toll on his joints. It starts with the degeneration of the cartilages in the joints, and when left unchecked, obesity can…
 
Continue reading the article and learn more about obesity in dogs on Daisy Linden’s blog.